Botswana News

Botswana has successfully launched the introduction of the Measles Rubella vaccine introduction and Supplementary Immunization Activity (SIA) in the capital city Gaborone on Monday July 25th 2016 at a ground breaking ceremony.

8 July 2016 - The Botswana Ministry of Health continues the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). The active search for Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) was conducted across 10 villages (11 schools) in the Chobe district commencing from the 23rd June to 30th June 2016. In 2015, LF mapping was conducted in 6 districts (Chobe, Ngami, Okavango, Tutume, North West, and Bobonong) bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe where the disease is known to be endemic. Out of these districts LF was found only in Chobe at a prevalence of 1%.  

Gaborone, 30 June 2016 --  “An excellent surveillance and response system is key to achieving and maintaining malaria elimination”. This was the assertion of Dr Magda Robalo, WHO AFRO CDS Director  when officially opening a four-day innovative and intensive technical orientation for newly recruited district surveillance officers via video link. She commended the Government of Botswana for prioritizing surveillance and building requisite capacity.

Already a proven leader in HIV/AIDS management and control, Botswana once again blazes a new trail for the rest of the world to follow. On 3rd June 2016, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Botswana Lt. Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama launched Botswana’s Treat All Strategy. The Strategy eloquently promotes Universal Health Coverage and ensures that all who test positive get treatment no matter their viral load or CD count.

Gaborone, 26 January 2015 - The Minister of Health, Honourable Dorcas Makgato hosted the new WHO Representative Dr Martins Ovberedjo in her office today. Dr Ovberedjo was accompanied by members of the WHO country office, Dr Tebogo Madidimalo, Mrs Lucy Maribe and Mr Moagi Gaborone.

Botswana, 22 January 2015 - Gaborone, The new WR to Botswana Dr Martins OVBEREDJO presented his credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Honourable Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi this morning.

Gaborone: The WHO Representative to Botswana Dr Felicitas Zawaira paid a courtesy call on the new Minister of Health, Honourable Dorcas Makgato. The Minister appreciated the support WHO continues to give to Botswana and indicated that while she understands the fact that WHO is not a funding agency, she wanted to be assured that WHO support will always be forthcoming when asked for. Responding to a pointed and very relevant question, “So how useful can you be to me?”,Dr Zawaira assured the Minister of round the clock availability of WHO support.

Commemoration of the African Vaccination Week and Child Health Days, Botswana

This year’s AVW focus in Botswana was to reduce the number of un-immunised children through reinforcing routine immunization.

To Commemorate African Vaccination Week and Child Health Days, additional support was provided to selected low performing districts during the period April 22- May 31, 2013. The districts selected were Gaborone, Kanye/Moshupa, Goodhope, Mahalapye and Okavango.

The consultation which was co-convened by the Governments of Botswana and Sweden with WHO and UNICEF, brought together 50 high level participants including Ministers of Health, members of the high-level Panel of Eminent Persons, Leaders of International health institutions, representatives of civil society and the private sector, academia, public health experts and youth. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the place of health in the post 2015 development agenda.

The meeting agreed on three broad conclusions;

Gaborone, Botswana, 5 March 2013 -- His Excellency the President Lt. General Seretse Khama Ian Khama officially opened the High Level Dialogue on the MDG Post-2015 Health Agenda on 5th September 2013 at the Gaborone International Conference and Convention Centre.